5 want to be Kenner's next mayor; 2 seek council post

Five candidates will compete to become the next mayor of Kenner, including three current city council members. The ballot was set Friday, the last day to qualify for the Nov. 8 election.

The winner will complete the unexpired term of former Mayor Mike Yenni, who was elected Jefferson Parish president. That term runs through June 30, 2018.

District 1 Councilman Gregory Carroll on Friday joined city council colleagues Maria DeFrancesch and Keith Reynaud in seeking the open seat. Jefferson Parish Councilman Ben Zahn and political activist Al Morella also have qualified for the race.

A runoff election, if needed, will be held Dec. 10.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Tom Willmott, R-Kenner and Victor Amstutz, a retired Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office district commander, will face off for the open at-large Division B Kenner City Council seat.

That post was left vacant after Keith Conley resigned to become Yenni's chief operating officer in parish government. That term expires June 30, 2018.